Federer will not attend Roland Garros

The 18-time Grand Slam champion will not play any tournaments in this year's clay court season.

Roger Federer said the decision was made to ensure he could play for many more years. The 'Express Train' will return in the grass and hard court seasons, which begin in June.

Federer skips all clay court tournaments this year. Photo: Reuters.

"I need to look at the schedule as a deciding factor for the longevity of my career. Therefore, my colleagues and I concluded that participating in just one event during the clay court season is not in my best interest nor does it help me prepare physically for the rest of the season," Federer said.

Federer's most recent tournament was the Miami Open, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to complete a hat-trick of three major titles at the start of the year.

"I will miss the crowds in France, who have always shown great support, and I look forward to seeing them at Roland Garros next year," said the 35-year-old.

Federer missed Roland Garros last year due to injury. It was the first time he missed a Grand Slam in Paris since his debut in 1999. Of Federer's 18 Grand Slam titles, only one was Roland Garros in 2009. He has finished runner-up four times.

Federer has won 19 matches and lost just once this year, an impressive form that has surprised many. After winning the Miami title, Federer announced that he would rest until Roland Garros returned. The Swiss player said that participating in the Masters tournament on clay was too much for him at this time. However, in the end, Federer did not participate in the second Grand Slam of the year.

According to VNE